Q. PREVIOUS OCCUPATIONS
A. I wrote for two different news outlets. I’ve also worked as a waitress, a lifeguard, an outdoor theater usher, a laundromat cleaner and a camp counselor
Q. FAVORITE JOB
A. The one I have now – being a writer!
Q. HIGH SCHOOL AND/OR COLLEGE
A. I studied English at Yale.
Q. NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE COMPOSER OR MUSIC ARTIST?
A. Right now I’m listening to a lot of Emile Waldteufel and Johann Strauss II. It’s the musical inspiration for my next book, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS!
Q. FAVORITE MOVIE
A. It’s a tie between Gone With the Wind or the third Lord of The Rings.
Q. FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW
A. Downton Abbey
REVEALING QUESTIONS
Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE IN ONLY 8 WORDS?
A. Family, Books, Faith, Friends, Nature, Travel, Chaos, Gratitude
Q. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR MAXIM?
A. Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the stars
Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PERFECT HAPPINESS?
A. I’m outdoors on a summer day surrounded by friends and family members. We have a beautiful backdrop of untouched nature surrounding us, preferably with a water view of some sort. It’s warm because, for me, happiness requires warmth and sunshine! We are all happy and healthy and about to sit down to a delicious meal.
Q. IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE?
A. Sitting on the outdoor terrace of a cafe in Paris, with my cafe au lait and my chocolate croissant on the way.
Q. WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
A. My two grandmothers, both of whom are in their 90’s.
Q. IF YOU COULD ACQUIRE ANY TALENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A. The ability to speak and understand any foreign language. It sure would make traveling a lot smoother!
Q. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
A. I would have to say that my greatest achievement is the relationships I have with my loved ones. My relationships with my family members, friends and husband. That’s my top priority and my greatest blessing.
Q. WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST FLAW?
A. I worry too much.
Q. WHAT’S YOUR BEST QUALITY?
A. I like to make others feel special.
Q. IF YOU COULD BE ANY PERSON OR THING, WHO OR WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A. How fun to think about that! I would love to be the Queen of England for the day. Mostly because I really want to know what it’s like inside Buckingham Palace!
Q. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL HERO?
A. Mr. Darcy or Albus Dumbledore
Q. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL VILLAIN?
A. Anne Boleyn– though I’m not certain it’s fair to call her a villain, even if history and historical fiction accounts have set her down as one. Regardless, I sure love to see her do her thing.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE?
A. When a person chews with his/her mouth open. I don’t need to see or hear your food as it is being masticated!
Q. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION, WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?
A. I love moonlighting as a travel agent. Nothing makes me happier than planning trips and exploring new places!
Q. WHAT’S YOUR FANTASY PROFESSION?
A. Hotel reviewer. Imagine traveling the world and getting wined and dined at the world’s nicest hotels and coolest locales. I can’t imagine it getting better than that.
Q. WHAT 3 PERSONAL QUALITIES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
A. Honesty, kindness and humor.
Q. IF YOU COULD EAT ONLY ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A. I love Italian food, so I’d have to go with Chicken Parmesan with a side of spaghetti!
ON BOOKS AND WRITING
Q. IS THERE A BOOK YOU LOVE TO REREAD?
A. The Great Gatsby. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read that book, and I react to it differently each time, depending on what’s going on in my own life.
Q. DO YOU HAVE ONE SENTENCE OF ADVICE FOR NEW WRITERS?
A. Be kind to yourself–don’t expect a first draft to be perfect (or a second draft or a third one or any draft, ever, to be perfect).
Q. WHAT COMMENT DO YOU HEAR MOST OFTEN FROM YOUR READERS?
A. “I felt like I was transported to their world.” I LOVE to hear that. That’s what I look for in the books I read, and so, to hear that I’ve given that to a reader makes me so delighted.
– See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Allison-Pataki/411626438/revealed#sthash.e6e81Q8H.dpuf